Former Tanzanian diplomat and Prime Minister Dr Salim Ahmed Salim
Dar es Salaam. The ongoing crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), particularly the escalating tensions in Goma, brings to mind the tireless diplomatic efforts of Tanzanian statesman Dr Salim Ahmed Salim during his tenure as Secretary-General of the then Organisation of African Unity (OAU).
As conflicts persist in the eastern part of the DRC, historical records from the ‘Dr Salim Digital Archive (SAS Digital Archive)’ illuminate the complexity of the crisis and how the former OAU, now known as the African Union (AU), chief sought to find a solution.
Tensions have risen sharply this week, with the M23 rebels, allegedly backed by Rwanda, seizing control of Goma, a key city in eastern Congo.
The Congolese government, along with the United States and other Western powers, has accused Rwanda of providing direct military support to the M23 group, a claim that Kigali strongly denies.
This crisis rekindles historic tensions that have plagued the Great Lakes region for decades, dating back to the late 1990s, when Dr Salim was at the helm of the OAU.
His leadership in addressing diplomatic rifts between African nations, especially during the Second Congo War (1998–2003), remains relevant in understanding the underlying causes of today’s strife.
During his time as OAU Secretary-General, Dr Salim played a pivotal role in seeking peaceful resolutions to the crisis in the DRC.
His diplomatic interventions involved mediating between key figures, including Presidents Nelson Mandela of South Africa, Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe, Yoweri Museveni of Uganda and Laurent-Désiré Kabila of the DRC.
In August 1998, at the height of the Congo crisis, Dr Salim reached out to President Mandela regarding the deteriorating situation.
Mandela acknowledged the urgency of deploying a delegation to Angola and Kinshasa to advocate for a ceasefire, as outlined in the Pretoria SADC Summit Communiqué.
However, the complexities of African politics were apparent, as Dr Salim noted in an archived statement: “I then raised the issue of consultations with President Mugabe of Zimbabwe. Madiba replied that he favoured that. In fact, he had wanted Zimbabwe to be part of the team, but President Nujoma (Sam Nujoma of Namibia) had strongly advised that none of the countries already militarily involved (Zimbabwe and Namibia) should be included.” (August 24, 1998)
One of the major obstacles in resolving the Congo crisis was the strained relationship between Mandela and Mugabe.
While Zimbabwe firmly backed President Laurent Kabila’s government, South Africa maintained a neutral stance.
Dr Salim worked behind the scenes to ease tensions between these two powerful leaders, recognising that their cooperation was crucial for securing peace in the region.
Dr Salim also discussed the situation with Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, who was hesitant to get involved due to his country’s own Ethiopia-Eritrea conflict at the time.
Nevertheless, Zenawi agreed to conduct diplomatic visits to Kigali and Kampala before proceeding to Harare and Pretoria to gather firsthand accounts of the situation.
“For the visit to be meaningful in terms of fact-finding, Zenawi decided to visit first Kigali, then Kampala, before proceeding to Harare.” (August 28, 1998).
The Congo crisis was deeply rooted in the downfall of Mobutu Sese Seko, the long-serving Zairian leader, and the subsequent rise of Laurent Kabila.
Dr Salim maintained communication with both figures, urging them to prioritize national unity over personal interests.
During a pivotal meeting with Mobutu, the OAU chief stressed the importance of peace and stability in Zaire (now the DRC).
In response, Mobutu claimed: “I am not a warmonger. My message is one of peace and democracy. Mistakes have been made, but these are a thing of the past.”
As Mobutu’s reign collapsed, Dr Salim established communication with Laurent Kabila, who declared the birth of the “Democratic Republic of Congo” upon entering Kinshasa. In their conversation, Kabila thanked Dr Salim for his message of support.
The lessons from the 1990s remain relevant in understanding today’s crisis. The current standoff between Rwanda and the DRC mirrors the dynamics of the late 1990s, where regional players had competing interests.
The historical pattern of external interventions, resource control, and ethnic grievances persists, making diplomatic engagement more crucial than ever.
Dr Salim’s approach to diplomacy was pragmatic—recognising the limitations of leaders, acknowledging their concerns, and advocating for collective action.
In one of his briefings, he reflected: “While it is difficult to provide verifiable evidence for confirmation, there is a generally held belief that Rwandan troops are somehow involved in the Congo, and there is also a general inclination that the government of Uganda is somehow involved in supporting the rebels.”
This assessment could easily apply to today’s conflict, where Rwanda is again at the centre of accusations regarding its role in eastern Congo.
